Faith, hope and love: A guide to churches in Dubai
Curious about the religious landscape of Dubai? This may come as a surprise to the uninitiated that the city is home to several churches. Whether you’re a practising Christian or simply interested in exploring different faiths, here’s a guide to the churches in Dubai.
List of Churches in Dubai
Since expatriates make up a majority of the population in the UAE, there’s a large number of Christians living in Dubai. That’s why the place doesn’t fall short of worship centres. Let’s have a look at our list of churches in Dubai, their denomination, location and the communities they cater to.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
St. Mary’s Catholic Church is one of the most-visited Catholic churches in Dubai. It was established by the Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the then UAE Prime Minister and Vice President. He donated land in 1966 to this church.
The inauguration was done the next year, but it was rebuilt on a larger area in 1988 to cater to a growing community of Catholic Christians in Dubai. Presently, this Church in Dubai can accommodate around 2,000 people and is also one of the oldest churches in Dubai and the whole GCC region.
- Location: 247 Oud Metha Road, opposite Indian High School, Bur Dubai
- Contact: +971-4-337-0087 | +971-4-335-8504
- Timings: Daily, 08:30 am – 12:30 pm and 04:00 pm – 08:30 pm
Covenant Hope Church
As an evangelical community of believers in a predominantly Muslim country, Covenant Hope Church comprises individuals from diverse nationalities and faiths. They consider it a divine providence that God has brought them together in this unique context, believing their primary purpose is to bear witness to Him and the eternal life found in Him.
You are welcome to attend their services even if you are not a Christian. They believe that a church community provides an ideal environment to explore Christian beliefs and the person of Jesus Christ.
- Location: Dubai Evangelical Church Centre (DECC), Jebel Ali
- Contact: +971-50-630-9694
- Timings: Sundays, 03:00 pm
St. Francis of Assisi Church
This is one of the most prominent Catholic churches in Dubai. Bishop Bernard Gremoli inaugurated it in November 2001. St. Francis of Assisi Church is located off Sheikh Zayed Road in Jebel Ali, behind the Al Muntazah Complex.
People visiting from the Jebel Ali interchange, from the Ibn Battuta Metro station via taxi or bus or from The Gardens Boulevard can easily reach it. This church is close to people residing in Jumeirah, Jebel Ali Gardens, Jebel Ali Village, Jebel Ali Industrial Area, Al Quoz Industrial Area and Jebel Ali Free Zone.
- Location: Jebel Ali, Dubai
- Contact: +971-4-884-5251 | +971-50-227-5356 | +971-56-398-8050
- Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 am – 12:00 pm and 04:00 pm – 08:00 pm
Emirates Baptist Church International
This is one of the few Baptist churches in Dubai. It follows the Holy Bible and comprises mainly of expat English-speaking believers. The congregation at this Dubai church is a diverse one, having people from all age groups in attendance. It is mainly catering to Christians living in Al Mankhool and neighbouring areas.
- Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences, Al Mankhool
- Contact: +971-50-646-2079
- Timings: Sunday, 10:00 am (Bible Study) and 11:00 am (Worship)
Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Church Dubai is a unique interdenominational Christian community that welcomes those from various Protestant backgrounds. Associated with the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, the church has been a vital part of Dubai’s Christian community for over fifty years.
The beautiful and memorable church building offers a place of worship, comfort and inspiration for many. The church community strives to be ambassadors for Christ in their daily lives. The land for the church was generously donated by the UAE rulers, reflecting the positive relationship between the Christian community and the government that continues to this day.
Now you know where to go if you are looking for a protestant church in Dubai!
- Location: 7415, Oud Metha Road, Al Karama, Umm Hurair 2
- Contact: +971-4-337-0247
Redeemer Church Dubai
Founded in 2010, the Redeemer Church of Dubai is a diverse community of believers from all walks of life. United by the Gospel of Christ, they come together as one family, transcending cultural and national boundaries.
Every weekend, people from across the globe gather to worship God, encourage one another, and hear His Word. The Redeemer Church congregation includes members from Africa, Asia, Australia and America, representing countries like Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines, Kenya, Egypt, and many more.
- Location: The H Dubai Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
- Contact: +971-58-582-2098
King’s Revival Church International Dubai
King’s Revival Church International is a non-denominational church, celebrating the transformative power of God’s love. Rooted in the full Gospel, they believe in the active presence of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by signs, wonders and miracles.
Founded in 1991 by Pastor Dil and Suhanthi, this multicultural church is based in Dubai with branches in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Qatar, Philippines, Canada and England.
Also, the services are conducted in multiple languages, such as English, Arabic, Malayalam, Konkani, Tamil, Sinhalese, Urdu, Tagalog, Swahili and more.
- Location: Al Noor Training Center, Al Barsha
- Contact: +971-56-381-5777
Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral
The Mor Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Cathedral in Dubai traces its roots back to 1976 when a small group of seven devotees, led by Thomas K., gathered to form the Dubai Jacobite Syrian Christian Association. Their goal was to establish a place of worship and community for Syrian Orthodox Christians in the region.
A significant milestone was the construction of the church building in Jebel Ali, which was consecrated in 2001. This provided a permanent home for the growing community. The church continues to serve its members and the wider community through various spiritual and social activities, including Sunday School, youth groups and charitable initiatives.
- Location: Jebel Ali, Dubai
- Contact: +971-4-884-4382 | +971-50-459-2844
The Dubai City Church
The Bible-based church in Dubai, led by its ministers, welcomes visitors in the name of Jesus Christ. As a Spirit-filled ministry, it equips believers to be active members of the body of Christ. The church’s primary goal is to introduce people to Jesus Christ and guide them towards understanding God’s divine plan for their lives.
The Dubai City Church was founded in 1999 by a group of 20 faithful people. Since then, it has expanded to Abu Dhabi and also hosts a Russian congregation in the UAE. It also has a branch in Sydney, Australia. The church has its own International Outreach program in India too.
- Location: St. Paul’s Hall, Holy Trinity Church Compound, between St. Mary’s Church & KM Trading, opposite Iranian Club, Oud Metha Road
- Contact: +971-50-705-7605
- Timings: Saturday, 06:00 pm (Main service) | Thursday, 08:30 pm (Communication service)
Dubai Central Seventh-day Adventist Church
Dubai Central Seventh-day Adventist Church is a diverse community where people from various cultures unite to inspire and uplift one another. Every week, they gather to pray, strengthen their faith and serve their community. This church may be the perfect fit if you’re seeking a spiritual home!
- Location: Umm Hurair 2, Oud Metha
- Contact: +971-50-194-0813 | +971-54-515-3389
FAQS ABOUT CHURCHES IN DUBAI AND MORE
CAN I FIND CHURCHES OF DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS IN DUBAI?
Yes, you can. In addition to the aforementioned churches, there are smaller centres where Orthodox Christians, Jacobites, Protestants and other congregations gather for prayers.
WHICH AREAS HAVE CHURCHES IN ABU DHABI?
Here’s a list of the churches in Abu Dhabi. Similarly, you can also find churches in Sharjah.
So that’s it for our list of churches in Dubai. Most of the residential areas in Dubai boast churches, not too far away. If you are a Christian resident, you can engage in plenty of Easter activities in Dubai each year. You can also contact these churches to find out mass timings for Easter Sunday or any of the other days in the Holy Week.
